DU Faculty Senate Minutes February 10, 2006
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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER
Faculty Senate
February 10, 2006
Mary Reed Building, Renaissance Room South
Minutes
Senators (or their Proxy) present: Dennis Barrett, Marian Bussey, David Christohel,
Bonnie Clark, Joel Cohen, Jenny Cornish, David Cox, Nick Cutforth (also proxy for Deb
Grealy), Davy Davis, Ron DeLyser, Andy Divine, Sandra Lee Dixon, Margo Espenlaub,
Ronald Fariña, James Gilroy, Mike Keables, Brian Kiteley, Maciej Kumosa, Michael
Levine-Clark, Seth Masket, Don McCubbrey, S. Lilly Mendoza, Ved Nanda, Nancy
Sampson, Martha Santos, Jack Sheinbaum, John Tripp, Gordon Von Stroh, Diane
Waldman, Tim Weaver, Todd Wells, and Yavuz Yasar.
Guest: Aaron Schwarzberg, All Undergraduate Student Association (AUSA)
representative
Call to order
President Potter called the meeting to order at noon and welcomed everyone present.
Cornish moved to approve the minutes from January 20, 2006 taken by Barrett, with the
usual caveat that senators contact her with necessary edits ([email protected]). This
motion was seconded by Devine and Passed unanimously.
Academic Planning Committee: David Christophel
Christophel reported that the committee had met twice to consider the report from the
Teaching Task Force (TTF). Initially, the committee suggested some recommendations
to the report, but later realized they didn’t directly relate to the report itself, but rather to
some of the ideas contained in it, so he had no formal or specific recommendations for
the Senate today, but rather congratulated the TTF members on their hard work. He
stated that committee members indicated support for the Center for Teaching and
Learning as a strong instrument on campus, but also suggested that the Center should
develop proper assessment procedures. The committee further felt that the section of the
TTF report on evaluating teaching contained some controversial recommendations. The
section on teaching awards led to a concern that significant funding could detract from
the idea of awarding teaching across the university. A subcommittee is focusing on
admissions, and in particular, the Ammi Hyde interviews. Since DU has seen a huge
increase of applications, the subcommittee is concerned it may be more difficult to
interview every applicant and has suggested having more interviews on campus. (Note:
see Provost’s report below for more information on admissions).
Personnel Committee: Todd Wells
Wells explained that the Personnel Committee will meet after Senate today to discuss
whether to enhance the descriptions of various faculty awards. They plan to consult with
the Provost’s Office for historical information on the named awards. They are concerned
1) that some of the award descriptions specify a required term of service while others do
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not, and 2) that application packets are greatly inconsistent in detail, ranging from 10 550 pages. Wells concluded by charging senators to encourage nominations from every
unit on campus, with an overall goal of obtaining 40 total strong nominees per year.
Finance Committee: David Cox
Cox assured senators that the salary study is moving forward with haste. Dick Gartrell,
Director of Human Resources, will chair a committee working on data analysis. Cox
asked senators to contact him with any comments or questions ([email protected]) and
proposed giving a fuller report by April 2006.
Student Relations Committee: James Gilroy
Gilroy reported that the Student Relations Committee had some interesting meetings,
many focused on diversity issues, despite the absence of a particular agenda. Jo Calhoun,
Associate Provost for Student Life has described increased retention levels in freshmen
and sophomores that are close to the 88% goal. Patti Helton, Associate Provost for
Campus Life, presented them with information on disciplinary issues on campus showing
that alcohol has decreased as a problem, while drug use has apparently increased. Deb
Tyson, Director of Housing and Residential Life, has focused on a new residence hall to
be built in the middle of campus beginning later this year, with an opening scheduled for
fall 2008.
Nominations, Credentials, and Rules: Dennis Barrett
Barrett stated that the current Senate representative to Graduate Council (DeLyser) is
stepping down due the fact that the time conflicts with a class he is teaching, and asked
for a substitute. Cohen volunteered for this position, to serve until May 2006.
All Undergraduate Student Association (AUSA): Aaron Schwarzberg
Schwarzberg informed the Senate that AUSA is working on diversity issues and he plans
to bring more information about this to the next meeting. He appealed to the senators
against the issue of classes beginning at 8:00 a.m., but Potter replied that when this issue
was raised at an earlier Senate meeting, the Registrar stated it was not currently
negotiable due to lack of adequate space on campus for classes.
Interim Provost’s Remarks: Gregg Kvistad
Kvistad reported that the tuition proposal was presented to the Board of Directors, with
an increase that was slightly lower compared to others over the last four years. He is in
the process of sending letters out to parents and students about this increase. DU has a
steady state target of 1100 undergraduate students per year. The proposed budget for
merit increases is similar to last year’s. Close to 560 students will study abroad next year
(over ½ of any class, or 575 quarter FTE hours per year), close to the target of 60%. The
Cherrington investment includes an approximate subsidy of $3,400.00 per student (over
and above redirected tuition), and thus is an expensive program although not hugely so.
The full formal budget will be submitted to the Board for approval in the near future.
The TTF report will be reviewed again on March 2 by the Dean’s Council. Kvistad
reiterated his perception that it is important for the DU community to reach consensus on
the report, although he also expressed his recognition that this may be unsettling to deans
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as well as faculty members. With regards to the Ammi Hyde interview process, Kvistad
met with Bob Coombe (Chancellor), Tom Willloughby (Vice Chancellor for Enrollment),
Todd Rinehart (Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Director of Admissions),
and Megan Hinton (Director, Hyde Interviews). In addition, this issue was discussed
yesterday at the Administrator’s Council. All have recognized the increased numbers of
applicants and realize that the Hyde interview process may need to be reorganized. At
present, faculty and staff members (including hourly employees) volunteer their time, so
the main costs associated with the interviews include air fare, hotel accommodations, and
t-shirts, for a total budget that is less than $400,000.00 per year. Consideration could be
given to interviewing only those applicants who meet certain academic standards.
However, this would redefine the mission of the interviews. Several senators suggested
increasing the per diem rate, especially for junior faculty. The potential decrease in
applicants representing diversity was also discussed: these interviews are usually
conducted in suburban hotels, accessible only by car, and offered at times when some
applicants may be working, raising the risk that the compulsory Hyde interviews may
defer less affluent applicants from applying. Kvistad indicated the need to expand the
diversity of applicants, but mentioned that discounts are already double for certain
student populations (minority students, musicians, and athletes). The NCAA controls the
number of full scholarships for Division I programs.
Teaching Task Force Report: Senate Recommendations
Since this was the third time that the TTF report had been brought before the Senate,
Potter recommended working through the short form, voting on the various sections of
the report, and then adding other proposals and recommendations related to teaching on
campus as new business for the Senate to consider in the near future. Kvistad stated that
the deans are undergoing a similar process, and that in his opinion, it would be helpful to
highlight 3-4 areas that the Senate either strongly supports or strongly opposes. Potter
further described that while voting today would be related to principles, there would still
be considerable work needed on issues of implementation.
• Introductory Points: Cox moved to support this section; Trip seconded.
Senators then discussed various concerns including assessment of outreach; the
need to integrate teaching, research, and practice; scholarship issues in general;
and recognizing faculty members who obtain outside funding for innovative
teaching. DeLyser, a member of the TTF, stated that the original group felt that
scholarship issues should be considered by a Scholarship Task Force. Christophel
moved that wording be changed to include learning (“three dimensions of
teaching and learning”). This was seconded by Nanda and accepted as a friendly
amendment by Cox and Tripp. Motion passed unanimously.
• Valuing Teaching: Potter ascertained that no discussion of this section was
needed as senators appeared in agreement with valuing teaching.
• Support for New Faculty: Cox moved the Senate accept the Support for New
Faculty Section of the report; seconded by Saitta. Divine mentioned that it is not
enough to support new faculty; mid-career faculty members also need support.
Christophel moved that wording be changed from “second year faculty
workshops” to “continuing faculty workshops;” this was accepted as a friendly
amendment. Potter pointed out that the task force recommended supporting new
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faculty in a way that would not interrupt the fall quarter, since their pay doesn’t
begin until Sept 1. Davis stated that the content in the new faculty workshops is
irrelevant to new theatre faculty members. Santos moved to delete “Second Year
Faculty Workshops should be developed;” this was seconded by Davy;
amendment passed. Potter then called the question. Motion passed with one
opposing vote.
Individual Rewards: Cox moved to approve this part of the TTF report;
seconded by Clark. Christophel moved to remove the section on re-thinking
current teaching awards in light of university teaching professorships; this was
seconded by Divine; amendment passed. Nanda moved to delete “endowed”
from “University Teaching Professorships;” this was seconded by Clark and
accepted as a friendly amendment. The senators engaged in a discussion about
what “transparent, clear and standardized” meant to various constituencies. The
motion (for the Senate to support the Individual Rewards section of the TTF
document, as amended to delete the re-thinking current teaching awards) failed.
Rather, senators agreed to delay endorsing the section until a stronger proposal
could be developed.
Evaluating Teaching: Cox moved to support this section of the document; Clark
seconded. A lively discussion ensued in which the increased amount of time
necessary to evaluate teaching as proposed by the report was juxtaposed with the
current system in which the only evaluation of teaching consistent across the
whole campus is evaluation forms written by students. Senators favored tabling
further discussion of this section until the next meeting. Motion to table passed.
New Business
• Further discussion of the need for university support for continuing faculty, not
just new faculty.
Adjournment
President Potter adjourned the meeting at 1:40 p.m., and thanked everyone for their
helpful participation.
Respectfully submitted:
Jenny Cornish, Senate Secretary